New Signings – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17. Southampton
It has been another summer of turmoil down on the South coast as once more Southampton have lost a number of their key assets. Liverpool clearly felt that they did not have enough ex-Southampton players in their ranks so decided to shell out a reported £34m on Sadio Mane. Spurs splashed out £11m on midfield enforcer Victor Wanyama, while Graziano Pelle has buggered off to China where he will earn a reported £260k per week. The world has officially gone mad! However perhaps the biggest loss will be manager Ronald Koeman who has taken over the reins at Goodison Park. Koeman has been replaced by Frenchman Claude Puel who has spent the past 4 seasons in charge of Ligue 1 side Nice, and prior to that he had spells in charge of Lyon, Lille and Monaco. Over the years he has developed a reputation for developing youngsters and playing an attractive brand of football. This should see him fit in well at Southampton. Although he has big shoes to fill as Koeman had built on the work of Mauricio Pochettino. What he have seen in recent years is that Southampton typically spend their money wisely and judging from their latest two signings they have once more spent wisely.
For Southampton’s pre-season games, line-ups and general musings here is their link on the Pre-season hub we have created Southampton Pre-season info
Nathan Redmond (£6.0m)
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After three years at Carrow Road Redmond decided to leave Norwich after they were relegated for the second time in three seasons. Redmond clearly wasn’t bought by Puel as his appointment was confirmed after the purchase of Redmond, although he has apparently been a long-term target for the Southampton hierarchy and we’ve seen how successful they have been over the years. The 22 year old will undoubtedly be seen as a direct replacement for Sadio Mane, but is he good enough to do so? Last season Mane scored 11 and assisted six while Redmond managed just six goals and three assists. Such basis stats are not always the best means to compare two players and some of the underlying stats suggest that Redmond can replace Mane. He created more chances per 90 minutes than Mane did. Surrounded by better quality players we must assume that more of these chances will now be scored! He’s certainly not the goalscorer that Mane is, he’s only managed to find the back of the net on 18 occasions in 174 league appearances. Although he did get his Saints career off to a flyer yesterday with two goals. Against… Zwolle. I would certainly expect him to pick up more fantasy points than in previous season but whether or not he’s worth considering will be determined by his price.
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.5m)
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Just as many will view Redmond as a replacement for Mane they are likely to see Hojbjerg as a replacement for Wanyama. He is a defensive midfielder by trade but can just as easily play as a box-to-box midfielder. The 20 year-old has long been seen as one of Europe’s hottest properties and when he moved to Bayern back in 2013 many expected him to kick onto the next level under Pep Guardiola. Unfortunately it didn’t work out at the German club as he was kept out of the team by Kroos, Thiago and Schweinsteiger. Frustrated by a lack of game time he joined Augsburg on loan in January 2015 helping them to qualify for the Europa League where his tireless running and positivity going forward played an important role. He spent last season on loan at Schalke but struggled to cement his place in the side. What can we expect from him at Southampton? Assuming Puel adopts a 4-2-3-1 formation I would expect Hojbjerg to play as part of a two man holding midfield. He should have the physical strength to adapt to life in the Premier League and I expect Puel will work with him on the training ground to encourage him to get forward on a regular basis. Is he likely to be a fantasy asset? For now I would take a wait and see approach.
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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Cresswell out for 4 months too.
Anyone got an idea of their back up left back?
I’m not sure they have one. Possibly Byran but he’s a RB. Guess they will buy one. Certainly one to keep an eye on
I’m thinking byram, Reid or oxford…hope one of the 4.5ers nails it down.
Or a CB to free up a spot for Collins!
Word is that the Hammers will be buying another left back to cover in place of Cresswell – that is coming from fairly reliable sources within the club.
Yeah I guess that is expected Cookie. Someone cheap in fantasy would be good
To be honest, thr Hammers weren’t great for clean sheets last season – think I’ll leave their backline alone for now. Cresswell was interesting for his attacking prowess – likewise Antonio, but he is listed as a midfielder.
So I think I’m almost there…
I could switch williams to Taylor and do Luka to Costa ?
Waddya think?
Mate do yourself a favour and get rid of Moreno
that will free up funds to upgrade your bench.
Certainly for the first handful of matches.
Chelsea might replace Costa with Lukaku!! If that doesn’t happen, I’d probably still go with Lukaku given that you’ve already got Fabregas. But I dunno – luk’s horribly inconsistent. A proven goalscorer tho. If Costa can find his form of old under Conte, he’s a good deal for sure. His play style will suit the new management I do think, but I feel it may be better to wait and see. Tbh it might be a better idea to sell him for someone cheaper and re-invest in midfield and defence (no mou utd cover!). all personal opinion tho – tbh going for a big three could be a massive differential that could pay off.
Williams is more than worth the extra 0.5 with set piece threat and bps so if you’re gonna invest in the swansea defence, I’d go for him.
Oh and I agree with matt and cookie haha
Anyone think Origi will be liverpool’s number 1?.
Surely it’ll be Sturridge?
Or George
hahah – thought you meant squad numbers wise!!
I personally don’t think so as I think Klopp has come around to Sturridge who is an exceptional striker IMO. That being said, I don’t think there’s much between them on his pecking order and considering Origi should be more match fit due to no euros, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he started the first few games at least. Klopp is a big fan of his. Genuinely both are really good options, and now with Ings, who’s been good in pre-season, in competition too, it is a little bit up in the air. Who knows – maybe we could see 2 up top. Worked out well in the league cup against stoke i think it was (something like 5 goals between them).
Who knows? Sounds like Klopp doesn’t really either!!:“They can be very good together. But at the end, we have to find the solution. Who knows whether I start with one or two or someone comes on and makes a big difference in the game. It is a great situation and hopefully it stays like this.”
What about firmino I think klopp might even go with him up top
First off the bench if they’re in trouble in a game. Maybe 😉
last time il touch my team until a fre days before lockout thoughts what improvments do i make?
Looks okay to me but i’d probably swap out one of the Southampton guys to spread the cover a wee bit.
Nin makes a good point here! Long and Tadic is overkill might as well swap one. Tadic to Fab or probably just swap Long. Loads of options there
Didn’t stuff today m8 with That jason guy swearing again. still laughing
LOL Hahahahaha
Hey guys, hope your teams are going well.
I have 1.5 and not sure what to do with it. I feel I need to get rid of downing though but not sure who to get.
Thankyou in Advance
Hey stewy
Downing to Sigurdsson or Ayew and you are almost set.
Assuming Costa is still with Chelsea come the big kick off.
Hey GP
There lots of players out there that i can get. Costa was a 50/50 chance to start in my side anyway
Hey Stewy, I’d agree re Downing – you need a better 4th midfielder there. Also, I wouldn’t have both Costa and Hazard, so by losing one of them you can raise some further cash to upgrade Downing. 6mln gets you Bolasie for example.
Is Paredes nailed on?
Hey Cookie
I wasn’t sure on costa and It was 50/50 if I was going to start him. I could get lukaku but only getting 0.5 for if. I had Paredes there just due to he is the mostly likely to play and having a 4.0 player does help to get bigger and better players.
Stewy, I think both Costa and Lukaku are excellent options – both are on my watchlist. Of course both may have moved clubs by GW1 !!
Got rid of Downing for Townsend which gives me 1.0mill so I can put Pardesto a 4.5mill player
Nice one Stewy
Cheers Cookie
Morning all
So I wondered why Mito was asking me about Cresswell yesterday! All clear now.
As Cookie points out, only 11 clean sheets from 38 I think last season and they have to settle in to the new stadium. I might take a watching brief now too.
Morning GP, hope you’re well – chuck in Europa League matches also – the first of which is in two days time. I was reading some Hammers fans last night moaning that Bilic has the biggest budget a Hammers manager has had for ages and is yet to buy anyone! Defensive issues and problems up front – could be an interesting few weeks!
That is also true Cookie. I can see one of the youngsters in there on Thursday.
I think supporters get a bit jittery at this time of the season with regards signings. West Ham may have a few lined up but just not over the line yet.
More than half the league would love Bilic as their manager I’d bet.
Yeah I’d agree with all that. To add to their woes I see Lanzini is injured also
Hey fellas I agree with both of you. I was considering Cresswell but now I’m going with no defensive cover.
Cook Lanzini isn’t injured he’s off to the Olympics with Argentina.
Matt, Lanzini is reported to be flying home after injuring his knee whilst with the Argentinian Olympic squad.
Oh right sorry Cook. I hadn’t seen that at all. There has been more injuries in preseason then there was during all the tournaments!! Bloody crazy.
Lanzini was included in the list of 18 yesterday that Argentina gave for the Olympics. It is still debatable whether he will recover on time before the games start, but as of yesterday he was still with the team and even posted an Instagram picture talking about the best is yet to come with an Argentinian shirt on. West Ham is putting pressure on him and the AFA for him to return to England, but as of now the AFA and the player still are hoping he will play.
Good info Mito, thanks
Cheers for this Mito.